If you like functionalist architecture, Helsinki has a lot to offer to you. I really like this style, and although it looks quite simple and boxy, I like the details and materials employed.
There is a park in Munkkiniemi and the area is quite green and quiet.
Originally, architect Eliel Saarinen planned a different Munkkiniemi, but low funds and passing of time resulted in only a fraction of his designs being built.
This former pension, designed by Saarinen, was later a cadet school and is now used by a government institute.
Saarinen also planned the first row of detached houses in Finland.
Munkkiniemi is situated close to the shore. There is a nice walking promenade and a café in the area, and of course also some seaside villas.
There is even a small strip of beach with public changing rooms.
Tram number four has it's end stop close to the shore and next summer I'd like to come back and have some tea at the café and maybe even go for a swim.
This tower was used for surveillance and messaging by the military during the Crimean war. Today, it is situated in a residential area and itself used as housing. Designer Timo Sarpaneva lived here during the 1970ies and it is said that the front man of Finnish rock band HIM, Ville Valo, has moved here some time in the last decade.
I really liked getting to know Munkkiniemi better, there are still some things to see, like architect Alvar Aalto's home which can be visited (for quite a big fee ...) by the public. It's nice to go out of one's usual route and learn something new about one's home town!
For next week, I hope that I'll get some sewing done!!!
Have a nice Sunday! :-)
I thought I'd edit the post to include some HIM. So here's the video to one of their most famous songs.
4 comments:
Thank you for these pictures: You know how I like them.
Aalto? I love him:he is a genius -:)
ciao
Lordy, for someone who's ready to die he takes a lot of care with his makeup. Thank you for the foray into Finnish pop music!
Love the orange Saarinen building, it's very striking with all the different styles of windows. I love getting to tour a new town without leaving my house!
Loved it! What a great gift they gave you. The only question I have is wether those mushrooms are real. Are they? If I saw mushrooms like that, my imagination would be zooming. I probably wouldn't have noticed anything on the walking tour that came after the encounter with those mushrooms. Thanks for sharing, Eva. I owe you a walking tour post. Carolina
Hi Eva! Got here via Blogging Your Way. I enjoyed the "walk"... a little glimpse into Helsinki, a city I've always wanted to visit!
Post a Comment